The forthcoming "Grimy God" album from Symph of Da Cloth promises to be one of the best releases of the year. The Rochester, New York emcee recruits Duffle Bag Ransom for it's latest single titled "Green Light For Huntin."
Frequent collaborators Pslums and Big Noyd come through knocking doors down with a brand new single and accompanying music video titled "We Don't Fuck Around."
Russia's currency is tumbling after Western nations on Saturday agreed to put crippling sanctions on the country's financial sector in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.
The ruble fell about 30% against the dollar Monday — making it worth less than 1 U.S. cent — after the U.S., European Union & United Kingdom announced moves to block some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payment system and to restrict Russia's use of its massive foreign currency reserves. The system is used to move billions of dollars around more than 11,000 banks & other financial institutions around the world.
The ruble recovered ground after Russia's central bank sharply raised its key interest rate Monday to shore up the currency & prevent a run on banks. But it was trading at a record low 105.27 per dollar, down from about 84 per dollar late Friday.
A weaker ruble could cause inflation to surge, potentially angering Russians whose budgets will be stretched by soaring prices. It will also add to strains across Russia's financial system.
A sharp devaluation of the ruble would mean a drop in the standard of living for the average Russian, economists and analysts said. Russians are still reliant on a multitude of imported goods and the prices for those items are likely to skyrocket. Foreign travel would become more expensive as their rubles buy less currency abroad. And the deeper economic turmoil will come in the coming weeks if price shocks and supply-chain issues cause Russian factories to shut down due to lower demand.
"It's going to ripple through their economy really fast," said David Feldman, a professor of economics at William & Mary in Virginia. "Anything that is imported is going to see the local cost in currency surge. The only way to stop it will be heavy subsidization."
A rapidly depreciating ruble could also slam Russian companies that need to issue debt to raise capital.
"The [ruble] has gone into a tailspin, & most Russian bonds, whether directly sanctioned or not, have seen prices drop to levels suggesting significant risk of default," analysts with TD Securities said in a research note.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 28, 2022 at 12:36pm
Video After The Jump
UFC 272 Countdown previews one of the biggest grudge matches of all time, as Colby Covington battles former friend and teammate, Jorge Masvidal, in an epic welterweight bout. UFC 272 is on Saturday, March 5.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 28, 2022 at 12:32pm
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Ukrainian UFC fighter Maryna Moroz -- who is fighting in 5 days -- has a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin as his troops invaded her homeland, killing soldiers and innocent people ... "F**k you, bitch! I love my country. Don't touch Ukraine!"
TMZ Sports talked to 30-year-old Moroz less than a week before she's scheduled to fight Mariya Agapova, an MMA fighter from Kazakhstan, as Ukraine is mercilessly attacked by Putin's military.
Maryna was born in Vilnohirsk, Ukraine in September 1991 ... almost exactly the time Ukraine gained its independence as the Soviet Union dissolved.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 28, 2022 at 12:19pm
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In this clip, Michael Jai White gives his take on Snoop Dogg's recent acquisition of Death Row. He and DJ Vlad exchange their opinions on the full circle sentiment behind the transaction, the events that led to him being signed by the infamous record label as a 19-year-old emcee from Long Beach and the reasons why he is now the perfect person to lead the company's resurgence. As the course of the conversation changed, they discussed the rise of Dr. Dre, from the impoverished depths of Compton to one of the greatest producers and businessmen of all time.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 28, 2022 at 12:14pm
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Kamaru Usman sits down with Megan Olivi for an interview about his hand surgery, the UFC 272 matchup between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal and more.
0:00 Kamaru Usman discusses the recovery process after undergoing hand surgery. 1:21 Usman previews the UFC 272 matchup between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. 4:57 Usman describes what he likes about Covington and Masvidal. 9:07 How he prepares for each fight. 12:24 Usman expects Covington to win if the fight ends by submission. 16:12 Did Covington or Masvidal adjust better during Usman's fights against them? 19:37 Usman says Masvidal has more to lose than Covington and discusses their next steps.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 28, 2022 at 12:00pm
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A super gremlin can't be slowed down in this game. Kodak Black is putting Florida on his back with his sound and the whole world is listening. 24-years-old, there's a lot more coming Kodak's way. We had to sit down with the young OG and talk some game.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 28, 2022 at 11:05am
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NEW YORK (Fox 5) - The NYPD has arrested a man accused of murdering former New York City drug lord Alberto "Alpo" Martinez.
27-year-old Shakeem Parker faces murder and weapons charges in connection with the case.
Martinez was shot and killed in Harlem on Oct. 31, 2021. The NYPD was called to Frederick Douglass Boulevard near W. 147th St. just before 3:30 a.m.
A dark, red pickup truck had crashed into parked cars. Martinez, the driver, had been shot 5 times in the chest through the car window. He continued to drive the truck approximately four blocks before crashing.
EMS took him to NYC Health + Hospitals Harlem but it was too late to save his life.
Martinez became famous in the 1980s for his murderous ways and mountains of drugs and cash. He was immortalized in dozens of rap songs and the movie Paid in Full.
A dark, red pickup truck had crashed into parked cars. Martinez, the driver, had been shot 5 times in the chest through the car window. He continued to drive the truck approximately four blocks before crashing.
EMS took him to NYC Health + Hospitals Harlem but it was too late to save his life.
Martinez became famous in the 1980s for his murderous ways and mountains of drugs and cash. He was immortalized in dozens of rap songs and the movie Paid in Full.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 28, 2022 at 10:05am
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Authorities seized nearly $3 million worth of methamphetamine, hidden among a shipment of onions, during a tractor-trailer’s inspection at federal facility in San Diego, officials announced Friday.
A K-9 unit for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted to the trailer’s shipment of onions on Sunday and officers found nearly 1,200 small packages of meth, the agency said Friday in a news release.
The 46-year-old driver, a Mexican national who was not named, was arrested for the alleged narcotic smuggling attempt at the Otay Mesa port-of-entry commercial vehicle facility, officials said.
The packages of meth — more than 1,336 pounds (606 kilograms) — were shaped into small globes with a white covering, the agency said, and meant to blend into the onions. The drugs are estimated to be worth $2.9 million on the street.
“This was not only a clever attempt to try and smuggle in narcotics, one I haven’t seen before, but also time consuming to wrap narcotics into these small packages, designed to look like onions,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Diego, in the news release. “While we have certainly seen narcotics in produce before, it’s unusual for us to see this level of detail in the concealment.”
Posted by MJ Savino on February 28, 2022 at 8:36am
Dumi Right, an acclaimed emcee/songwriter/performing artist/cultural ambassador announces the release of his new single/video "Stay Focused." The track features Outspoken and Sykotek with KHz Pro on production. Dumi proves just why he's been trailblazing through the scene since the golden age. He continues to release timeless, conceptual gems as evidenced in "Stay Focused." Before jumping right into the video, check out the full interview below with Dumi Right as he shares about the inspiration and creation of the video, his role in Hip Hop, as well as current and upcoming endeavors.
“With so much going on in the world in the grip of a global pandemic, it is easy to be overwhelmed and lose focus. This head-nodding track serves as a call to action and a reminder that we should always rise to the challenge, even if the odds seem insurmountable. It also speaks to bridging the gap between generations to help propel us to a brighter Afro Futuristic plane. As the chorus implores, "Focus on the challenges we're facin', Music that'll spark elevation, Trying to change the current situation, Building with the next generation…"
MJ: For those who might be unfamiliar with Dumi Right, let's begin by introducing you. Your history in Hip Hop dates to Zimbabwe Legit, one of the first Hip Hop groups in Africa to receive global recognition. How did that experience pave the way for you as an emcee, songwriter, and performing artist?
Dumi: When I first came out, all I wanted was for the world to hear the story of a young dude from Africa, a "brother from the Mother" that had been drawn to the power and magnetism of Hip Hop. Back in 1992, my group Zimbabwe Legit dropped a groundbreaking EP that included production from Black Sheep's Mr. Lawnge and DJ Shadow. Since then, I've remained deeply immersed in the art and culture performing domestically and internationally and recording critically acclaimed albums and unique projects. I like to live by the phrase, "Don't let your past be brighter than your future" so I was never one to rest on my laurels. Even though back then we were written up in Billboard magazine, The Source, and yeah even "Word Up! Magazine" that I read from cover to cover admiring my favorite rap stars like the Biggie lyric says, I knew that if I didn't keep pushing and keep moving, I could easily fall off. When we first got started, international Hip Hop was by no means at the scale that it is today. There wasn't a well-defined blueprint on how to make the connection between Hip Hop in other parts of the world and what was going on in the US at the time, and so I had to navigate and learn by trial-and-error style. I loved the fact that we could give voice to a whole segment of the culture that many people may not have been familiar with and bring a unique perspective and view of the world through the music. Also coming out at that time meant that I was a de facto ambassador of sorts, representing a bunch of people like myself. That meant I had to come correct and make a mark because a lot of eyes were watching, and I felt the weight of people who were counting on me to be successful. Having that pressure from the get-go gave me the drive and perseverance to realize that failure wasn't an option and that I always needed to put my best foot forward. You don't realize at the time the impact what you do might have, but hearing from people how that initial splash was an inspiration is definitely humbling and very deeply appreciated.
MJ: You are not only respected as an emcee but also as a cultural ambassador. How did that role come into fruition? How does it tie into your music?
Dumi: Coming out of the international scene, I have always had a desire to connect with artists from all over the globe. Knowing how Hip Hop culture influenced and inspired me growing up and so I understood how important it was to build bridges and community globally. As a result, for many years I worked on collaborations, projects, and initiatives that involved artists from countries around the world. I later heard about a formal opportunity to practice many of the things I had been doing already, by teaching Hip Hop overseas through a program called Next Level. A DJ friend of mine had participated in the first edition of that program and he told me that it was amazing and that I needed to apply. I did and was selected to teach emceeing in Thailand a few years ago. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my music career and even my life in general. It was an extension of the work that I had been doing but it also allowed me to build with up-and-coming emcees and teach the principles of Hip Hop and performing as well as learn more about Thai culture and the people. It was an affirmation that I was doing meaningful work and strengthened my resolve to continue to be a global connector and bring artists together through music.
MJ: Your latest video "Stay Focused" features Outspoken and Sykotek with production by KHz Pro. Before we dive into the content of the video, tell us how everyone linked up with each other. The filming aspect alone of the video is incredible.
Dumi: Outspoken is one of my favorite emcees from Zimbabwe. He has insightful rhymes that address the times, and he is a very versatile artist. I have performed with him when his group visited the US and we collaborated on a previous song and video. My homie Khz cooked up this head-banging track and as I was formulating an idea of what I wanted to do with it, I realized he'd be the perfect artist to collaborate with on it. He also works quickly, and the finished product is always dope. I was introduced to Sykotek by a mutual friend and really liked the way he rhymed and the way he seamlessly transitioned between languages. He raps in English but can stop on a dime and start spitting in Ndebele and he's got crazy skills doing both. Also having previously done a song called "Doin' Damage in My Native Language" it seemed appropriate to have him carry the torch and represent that here. In addition, the three of us had collaborated last year on a Covid-19 awareness song for a project that a counterpart was putting together. That song "In These Days and Times" turned out well and our styles complimented each other so I felt we needed to do it again for this. We are all in different countries, Outspoken in Harare, Zimbabwe; Sykotek was in Johannesburg, South Africa at the time and I am based in Washington, DC but we were able to get on the same page and record music first and then later the video to bring the "Stay Focused" concept together.
MJ: What was the inspiration behind "Stay Focused"? Did the video meet/exceed your expectations?
Dumi: The song basically talks about following through on what your goals are despite distractions, setbacks, or roadblocks. It also speaks to connecting with the next generation to build a stronger community and change sub-optimal situations or circumstances that we might find ourselves in. The beat slapped so hard that I knew I needed something high energy to match it. I did a couple of different things for the chorus but then I thought it would be dope to switch it up and have someone else rock the hook and summarize the whole concept. I loved what Outspoken did with it and that set the stage for everything else. I wasn't sure if we'd be able to pull off a video given our different geographic locations, but the guys were all keen to try it out and made plans to record their footage and send it to me for editing. Another longtime friend and collaborator by the name of Magee offered to edit it all together and he did it seamlessly like the pro that he is. The footage was shot in 3 different countries, and he took the challenge of weaving the story together and he did an amazing job. It exceeded all expectations for me even though I know he's a wizard with video. He's directed and edited a lot of African Hip Hop music videos but also works in the field so has edited numerous films and documentaries, so it was certainly within his realm of capability, and it shows.
MJ: It seems at times music that offers empowerment and motivation that wake up and stimulate our core and minds, has fallen by the wayside. As an emcee and cultural ambassador, what is your blueprint to ensure "Stay Focused" doesn't take a back seat to the monotony that is being saturated on the airwaves and in communities?
Dumi: The first thing for me is not being influenced by the flavor of the month trends prevailing in the industry. Understanding who I am and what my authentic and unique voice is means I can exercise the freedom to not go along with whatever is trendy now and stay focused on my grind and the work that I'm trying to do. I also know that saying something in music might mean it might not be highlighted in those mainstream circles so finding alternative outlets and audiences to amplify the messages that we're dropping and spread the word about what we're doing. I focus on non-typical music outlets but also leverage the global Hip Hop community to find the eyes and ears that appreciate that raw and true Hip Hop sound and lyrics. Like-minded people are out there, you just have to find them. I do work in Hip Hop education and so this type of music also finds receptive audiences in those types of forums as well. And a wise man once said, "Market and promote, and you gotta hope, that the product is dope" (word to Q-Tip), so to begin with I always make sure that I put forth dope music with beats and rhymes that people are going to want to listen to. If you have a great product, when the audience hears it, they can't help but appreciate it. I also lean on my network of international collaborators to help carry the messages to fans in their areas that would dig it but I otherwise might not be able to reach on my own. So essentially building an ecosystem of progressive Hip Hop on our own, knowing that we can't count on support from the mainstream. Doing things beyond just music like workshops and panels also helps to build that community and work to "try to change the current situation" besides just dropping records. Hopefully through all these combined efforts a major impact will be felt.
MJ: Can you share with audiences and fans what they can expect from Dumi Right in 2022? New music, more collaborations, and/or other endeavors on the radar?
Dumi: While finishing up my next solo album, I ended up inking a deal with a label in the UK to re-issue one of my prior albums on a limited-edition vinyl. That will drop later this year via Chopped Herring Records. I feel like folks that cop vinyl are some of the biggest supporters and truest fans and of course that includes many DJs, so I am thrilled that we're going to be able to make that happen. The biggest news though is the impending launch of my new website dumiright.com very soon and a brand-new solo album, Dumi Right - Foreword to the Future. I'm real amped about this as it has been a long time coming but it has some pure heat on it. Guest artists include Chubb Rock, Speech from Arrested Development, YZ, El Da Sensei, Breez Evahflowin', Kev Brown (on production), Emskee and more. I had an artist in South Africa draw some ill Afro-Futuristic artwork. It will drop also on limited vinyl first and then go on all the streaming platforms thereafter. We're putting the finishing touches on it and working on the marketing and distribution plan.
MJ: Take this time to share anything else with the world of Hip Hop...
Dumi: I just served as an executive producer and artist on a compilation series, Stop Shooting Vol 1 and 2 that features emcees and producers from all over the world speaking out about gun violence and police brutality. Lots of exciting music on those two volumes including a new single called "Global Love Warming" that includes a chorus sung by Aloe Blacc. There are so many great artists on it and they all bring very unique perspectives and styles to the table so it's refreshing to hear…Please subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/dumirightmusic and follow me on Instagram, FB and Twitter for all the latest scoop.
Prosperity Records and Wolfed Out ENT CEO, Seventh Child, is heavy on his grind as he follows up his "Night Ninja" mixtape with his 2nd offering of the day. This one is an official music video for "Figured It Out."
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a dramatic escalation of East-West tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday in response to what he called “aggressive statements” by leading NATO powers.
The directive to put Russia’s nuclear weapons in an increased state of readiness for launch raised fears that the crisis could boil over into nuclear warfare, whether by design or mistake.
Putin’s step is “potentially putting in play forces that, if there’s a miscalculation, could make things much, much more dangerous,” said a senior U.S. defense official.
Putin, in giving the nuclear alert directive, cited not only statements by NATO members — who have rushed to reinforce the military alliance’s members in Eastern Europe — but the hard-hitting financial sanctions imposed by the West against Russia, including Putin himself.
Speaking at a meeting with his top officials, Putin told his defense minister and the chief of the military’s General Staff to put nuclear forces in a “special regime of combat duty.”
“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin said in televised comments.
U.S. defense officials would not disclose their current nuclear alert level except to say that the military is prepared all times to defend its homeland and allies.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki told ABC that Putin is resorting to a pattern he used in the weeks before the invasion, “which is to manufacture threats that don’t exist in order to justify further aggression.”
The practical meaning of Putin’s order was not immediately clear. Russia & the U.S. typically have land & submarine-based nuclear forces on alert and prepared for combat at all times, but nuclear-capable bombers & other aircraft are not.
If Putin is arming or otherwise raising the nuclear combat readiness of his bombers, or if he is ordering more ballistic missile submarines to sea, then the United States might feel compelled to respond in kind, said Hans Kristensen, a nuclear analyst at the Federation of American Scientists. That would mark a worrisome escalation, he said.
A former police captain has been acquitted of murdering a fellow cinema-goer who threw popcorn at him.
Jurors in Florida decided Curtis Reeves was not guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated battery, after he shot 43-year-old Chad Oulson dead in a movie theatre in an argument about texting during the previews.
The incident happened in a Wesley Chapel cinema in January of 2014, when Oulson was on a matinee date with his wife to see the Mark Wahlberg film "Lone Survivor."
Before the movie had even started, as the trailers were playing, Oulson began texting his young daughter's babysitter & Reeves, sitting behind him, got upset.
After exchanging words, Reeves went to complain to management. when he returned, Oulson had put away his phone, but Reeves made a comment that had he done so sooner, he wouldn't have had to report him to the manager.
This prompted another exchange of words & that's when Oulson threw a bag of popcorn at him.
"The defendant removed a handgun & shot the suspect in the chest," the affidavit reads.
Oulson's wife Nicole, who had her hand on her husband's chest as the men argued in an effort to get him to sit back down, was struck in the finger, almost severing it. The bullet went through her finger & pierced her husband's lung & heart, killing him.
Reeves claimed to police at the time Oulson had "stuck him in the face with an unknown object"; he removed the 380 semi auto handgun from his pocket & shot him because "he was in fear of being attacked."
The affidavit also states that "witnesses advised they did not observe any punches being thrown."
He claimed Oulson had been aggressively leaning over a chair toward him and had thrown a cellphone at Reeves' head; again no witnesses reported seeing a phone being thrown.
"I truly thought this was the end of the line for me," Reeves testified. "I thought at the very least I would be seriously injured, if not killed."
“I didn't want to shoot anybody. I came to the theater with my family to enjoy a movie, not to be attacked by some guy that's out of control."
Prosecutor Scott Rosenwasser told the court that despite Reeves claiming he didn't know what had hit him, 3 witnesses testified hearing him say something about "throwing popcorn in my face" before he fired the fatal shot.
But ultimately, the jury of 4 men and 2 women took three-and-a-half hours to decide it was justified self-defense.
Posted by ChasinDatPaper on February 27, 2022 at 12:16pm
Snootie Wild died after being shot in Houston Friday, the second Memphis rapper to be gunned down in recent months.
The “Yayo” artist’s death was confirmed on his verified Instagram page Saturday evening.
“Gone in body, but your NAME & LEGACY will live forever! #TeamYayo4Life,” the post read.
Wild was found shot in the neck in a ditch next to an SUV around 2 p.m. by Texas police, according to ABC 13, a report that was later linked to Wild’s death.
“It looks like he backed in there (the ditch) accidentally. Then the other vehicle pulled up, and folks got out of the car,” a Houston officer told the outlet.
“They were talking for a little bit, and then all of a sudden, gunfire went off. Only one shot, actually.”
The 36-year old, born LePreston Porter, was not immediately pronounced dead and was fighting for his life Friday afternoon, his Facebook page said.
There was no word on any arrests in connection with the murder.
Tributes from hip hop artists like Sonny Digital and Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul poured in on social media for the Yo Gotti protégé.
The news came after rapper Young Dolph, who had a long running feud with Gotti, was shot dead outside a Memphis bakery in a broad-daylight ambush. Three suspects were arrested in connection with that murder, and Gotti was not implicated.
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